JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville’s annual fall festival celebrates the community with two days of entertainment, food, contests and more.
The fourth annual FestiVille will take place from 3-7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Dupree Park, 1700 Redmond Road.
Dana Rozenski, recreation program supervisor with Jacksonville Parks and Recreation, said Jacksonville
families will have an opportunity to participate in a range of offerings for all ages.
“We have a little bit of something for everyone. We’ve got carnival rides, a children’s area and a petting zoo,” she said. “We also have the food vendors and commercial and nonprofit vendors. That might be geared more toward the older people.”
Nikki Wilmoth, advertising and promotion recording secretary for the city of Jacksonville and FestiVille committee member, agreed that the festival can meet many interests. Wilmoth has been involved with FestiVille since its inception.
“I think it’s good family-fun entertainment,” she said. “There’s something out there for everyone. I think no matter what, there’s something that everyone can pick up on and relate to. We have a lot of local bands that will be attending.”
Entertainment such as the live music and performances by local school and dance groups will be free. There will be a cost for children’s carnival rides. Acts such as American Lions, New Livin’ Quartet and others will take the stage.
Festival organizers have added hot air balloons to this year’s activities.
“We’ve been wanting to do it for a couple of years,”
Rozenski said. “Last year, we were never able to make that connection. Things just kind of fell into place for it to happen this year. We’re always looking for something different, and that was certainly different.”
Also new to FestiVille are a bingo competition and a movie screening. An all-ages bingo competition will take place from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 30, and Zootopia will be shown at the park that evening.
Rozenski said some attractions, such as the carnival rides, the children’s play area and the rock wall, have been popular each year.
“We try to add something new every year,” she said. “We’re pretty confident this year.”
Marlo Jackson, marketing and programs manager for Jacksonville Parks and Recreation and a FestiVille committee member, said the family environment of the festival makes it a great opportunity for the community. She added that the festival helps promote local talent and businesses.
“We’re really hoping that with the local bands, [we’ll be] getting them some exposure,” she said. “It’s not the same thing over and over, but we do bring back some of the similar things that they may enjoy year to year — different food vendors, just a lot of exposure in the city that we may not have on a day-to-day basis.”
About 12 committee members help organized the yearly event. The first year of FestiVille, 500 attended. Its second year, 8,000 people came out, and last year, the festival saw 10,000, Rozenski said.
“Every year that we’ve had it, it’s grown,” she said.
Rozenski said she most looks forward to locals enjoying what the event has to offer.
“For me, as the person who puts this together, along with the committee, I just like to see the families come out and have a good time — the fruits of our hard work,” she said.
Wilmoth said the city’s Parks and Recreation Department phone app, Jacksonville AR Parks and Recreation, will have updates on the entertainment lineup.
Rozenski said she hopes people are inspired to see what FestiVille has to offer both days.
“I hope they have a good time,” Rozenski said. “I hope if they come out on Friday, they see something they like and come back on Saturday and bring their friends.”
For more information, visit festiville.org or facebook.com/jacksonvillefestiville.
Staff writer Syd Hayman can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or shayman@arkansasonline.com.